Elevate the spectrum Hero Bags bring comfort to emergency situations

When emergency responders arrive on the scene, the chaos can be overwhelming, especially for individuals with autism or other developmental disabilities. A grassroots initiative in New Mexico is working to change that.

Joel Davis, the newly appointed board president of Elevate the Spectrum, said the program has grown steadily thanks to community support and volunteer efforts.

“We’re lean and mean,” Davis said. “We don’t have paid staff. Ninety-five percent of the money we raise goes directly into programs like Hero Bags.”

Elevate the Spectrum is a nonprofit organization founded in 2019, has distributed more than 2,000 “Hero Bags” to first responders and school teams across the state. The bags are designed to help individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities and other sensory or communication challenges during emergencies.

Each Hero Bag contains fidget tools, noise-canceling headphones, communication boards in English and Spanish, and whiteboards with markers, all aimed at helping individuals regulate emotions and communicate effectively when stress is high or if they are non-verbal.

“They are pretty, very well received, and we actually use them for not just Autistics, but also use them for anybody that’s overwhelmed or has communication issues.” said Davis, “So it could be Alzheimer’s, memory loss patients, or folks with mental health issues.”

The organization has partnered with the University of New Mexico’s Autism+ team to develop training materials for first responders. The curriculum includes de-escalation techniques and guidance on interacting with autistic individuals in crisis situations.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are 30 percent more likely to visit emergency departments than their neurotypical peers. That number jumps to 70 percent for teens ages 15 to 18 and doubles for adults with ASD. Nearly half of individuals with autism have attempt ed or successfully eloped, and up to 93 percent of children with ASD experience sensory overload.

Davis said Hero Bags have been distributed to departments in Santa Fe, Rio Rancho, Pojoaque, Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, Sandoval County, Socorro County and Sierra County, as well as to New Mexico State Police.

Elevate the Spectrum is working to expand the program statewide and hopes to secure more consistent funding. The organization has received small grants, including a $10,000 state grant and support from New Mexico Gas Company, but relies heavily on donations.

To contribute to the Hero Bags program, visit givebutter.com/LY6KBZ.

For more information, visit ElevateTheSpectrum.org or contact HEROBags@ElevateTheSpectrum.org.